A NEW YEAR’S SURPRISE
982 Words
EPISODE 2: A NEW YEAR’S SURPRISE
Setting: It’s New Year’s Eve. Anna is in her apartment, trying to decide if meeting Ethan again is a good idea. Meanwhile, Ethan is rushing around, preparing for their meeting.
Anna (talking to herself while pacing):
"Why am I even considering this? It’s not like we’re best friends now. We’ve only met once! Once! And he’s already talking about New Year’s like it’s a thing." Pauses and looks at her reflection. "But he was funny… and that stupid pickle ornament made me laugh for days."
(Anna’s phone buzzes with a text from Ethan.)
Ethan (text message):
"Hey, don’t tell me you’re bailing on me! I’ve got fireworks, snacks, and a backup pickle ornament just in case 😉."
Anna (muttering):
"Of course, he’d bring up the pickle again." Types back, "I’ll think about it."
Ethan (replying immediately):
"Think faster! The clock’s ticking, and the best cocoa in town won’t wait forever."
Anna (rolling her eyes but smiling):
"Fine. But if you pull out another ornament, I’m leaving."
Ethan (texting):
"Deal. No ornaments. Just fun. See you at 8!"
---
Scene shifts to a cozy rooftop with fairy lights, a small table set up with snacks, and a view of the city skyline. Ethan is busy arranging everything.
Ethan (talking to himself):
"Okay, Ethan, don’t mess this up. She already thinks you’re a walking disaster. Just be normal. How hard can it be?"
(Anna arrives, wearing a warm coat and scarf, looking around.)
Anna:
"Wow. I didn’t expect this. Are you trying to impress me or bribe me into forgetting the pickle ornament?"
Ethan (grinning):
"Both. But mostly impress. Did it work?"
Anna (pretending to think):
"Hmm… the jury’s still out. Let’s see how the snacks are."
Ethan (mock offended):
"Wow, straight to the snacks. What about the company?"
Anna (teasing):
"Eh, the jury’s still out on that too."
(They laugh and settle at the table. The city lights twinkle in the background.)
Ethan:
"So, what’s the verdict? Am I forgiven for the Christmas crash yet?"
Anna (smirking):
"Forgiven? Maybe. Forgotten? Never. That pickle ornament is burned into my memory."
Ethan (laughing):
"Hey, it’s iconic! You’re just jealous you didn’t find it first."
Anna:
"Jealous? Please. I’m just thankful you didn’t gift it to me."
Ethan:
"Darn. There goes my New Year’s present idea."
Anna (giggling):
"Please, no more pickles. I’m begging you."
(They continue chatting, sharing stories about their families, their worst New Year’s experiences, and their favorite childhood memories.)
Ethan:
"You know, I almost didn’t text you tonight. Thought you might be one of those people who hate New Year’s."
Anna (shrugs):
"I kind of do. It’s just another day, really. But… tonight feels different."
Ethan (raising an eyebrow):
"Different how? Because of the snacks? The view? Or me?"
Anna (mock serious):
"Definitely the snacks. But you’re not too bad either."
Ethan (pretending to be hurt):
"Not too bad? I’ll take that as a compliment."
Anna:
"Good. It was meant to be one."
(As the night progresses, they start opening up about deeper things.)
Ethan:
"Can I tell you something without you laughing?"
Anna:
"Depends. Is it about another weird ornament?"
Ethan:
"No, it’s… serious." Pauses. "I don’t usually do this. Like, meet random people and… care."
Anna (softly):
"Care? About what?"
Ethan:
"About whether they show up or not. But tonight… I was hoping you would."
Anna (touched but trying to play it cool):
"Well, I’m here. So, mission accomplished."
Ethan:
"Yeah, but now I’m worried about scaring you off with my… weirdness."
Anna (teasing):
"Oh, don’t worry. You already did that at the market."
Ethan (laughing):
"Great. So, you’re just here for the snacks and fireworks?"
Anna (smiling):
"Maybe. Or maybe I was curious to see if you’re always this… unpredictable."
Ethan:
"And?"
Anna (grinning):
"You haven’t disappointed yet."
(They sit in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the city lights. Suddenly, Ethan jumps up.)
Ethan:
"Oh no! I forgot the sparklers! Stay here, I’ll be back in two minutes."
Anna (calling after him):
"You better not leave me alone with these snacks! I might eat everything!"
Ethan (from a distance):
"Go ahead! But save me a cookie!"
(Anna chuckles, watching him disappear down the stairs. She looks around the rooftop, feeling a strange sense of peace.)
Anna (murmuring to herself):
"Maybe New Year’s isn’t so bad after all."
(Ethan returns, slightly out of breath, holding a box of sparklers.)
Ethan:
"Ta-da! The pièce de résistance. Ready to light up the night?"
Anna:
"Are you sure you trust me with fire?"
Ethan (grinning):
"Not really. But hey, what’s life without a little risk?"
(They light the sparklers, laughing and twirling them around. The city countdown begins in the background.)
Ethan:
"Ten seconds to go! Any New Year’s resolutions?"
Anna (thinking):
"Hmm… maybe to stop drinking overpriced cocoa."
Ethan:
"Ambitious. Mine’s to stop bumping into strangers at markets."
Anna:
"Good luck with that. You seem to have a talent for it."
Ethan:
"Thanks. I’ll need it."
(The clock strikes midnight, and fireworks explode in the sky. They both pause, watching in awe.)
Ethan (softly):
"Happy New Year, Anna."
Anna (smiling):
"Happy New Year, Ethan."
(For a moment, everything feels perfect. The city lights, the fireworks, and the warmth of unexpected friendship.)
Ethan:
"Okay, now that it’s officially 2025, can I ask you something?"
Anna:
"Depends. Is it weird?"
Ethan:
"Not weird. Just… honest."
Anna (curious):
"Okay. Shoot."
Ethan (nervously):
"Can we do this again? Not the whole New Year’s thing, but… just hang out. Maybe without sparklers or snacks."
Anna (pretending to think):
"Hmm… no snacks? That’s a tough sell."
Ethan (laughing):
"Okay, snacks included. Deal?"
Anna (smiling):
"Deal. But only if you promise no more pickle ornaments."
Ethan:
"Cross my heart. No pickles. Just… this."
(They share a quiet laugh, both realizing that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something magical.)
- Writer
